Bascule lift-bridge.



Y y l vaunted Feb. 27, |900. r. cowlNe. BASCULE LIFT BRIDGE.

(Application led Oct. 30, 1899.)

(No Model.)

w/rA/ESSES f l /N VIE/v ro 1H: kennis #Eriks CQJMOIGLITMU, wAsnlNGroN,o. cy

'Y STATES l NrrE PATENT BAsoU LE LIFTABRG'E.;

sEEoIFIoATIoN forming part of Letters Patent Np. 644,405, dated February27, 1900.

Application fled October 30, 1399. Serial No. 735,336. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN PHILo CowIrNof, of Cleveland, in the county ofCuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved BasculeLift-Bridge, of which the following is a full description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved basculelift bridge arranged to uniformly distribute the load on the bridgepiers or abutments and to permit of conveniently opening and closing thebridge with comparatively little power, the bridge being at equilibriumat all angles of its throw and during the opening and closing of thebridge.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations ofthe same, as will be fully described hereinafter and pointed out in theclaims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in whichsimilar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all theviews.

Figure l is aside elevation of the improvement arranged as an archedbridge. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional side elevation. Fig. 3 is anenlarged transverse section of the fulcrum end of the span and bearingstherefor, the sections being on line 3 3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is asectional view of one of the rollers on line 3 3, showing pin T, withshoulder S.

The bascule-bridge illustrated in Fig. l is provided with two spans Aand A', meeting at the center and both alike in construction and formingan arch-bridge with two or more trusses,having a passage-way through orupon them, each span having its pier or fulcrum end formed with asegmental bearing-surface B, mounted in a cradle C, which is attached tothe pier D. This cradle is provided with arc-shaped tracks or faces E,which are concentric with segmental bearing-surface B. Between thesegmental bearing-s urface B and the arc-shaped tracks E of the cradle Care interposed a series of antifriction-rollers F, constructed with twodiameters, the greater bearing upon the bearing-surface B and the lesserbearing upon the cradle-tracks E. By means of the rollers having a largeand small diameter the travel of the rollers in the cradle is short whenthe bridge is moved. The

rollers are mounted between side bars R and roll freely upon pins T,having ends turned down, forming shoulders S, and provided with threadand nuts for rmly securing side bars to the pins, thus keeping therollers the proper distance apart and supporting the said rollers whenthey roll past the ends of the cradle.

The fulcrum end of each span A and A' is provided with a counterweightG, which is such as to substantially balance the span in any position,thus requiring only enough motive power to overcome friction, wind, andinertia.

In the cradle or at any other convenient place is a driving-pinion I-I,which is in mesh with a segmental gear-rack I, so that when the pinion His rotated a rotary motion is imparted by the said pinions to thesegmental gear-rack I to cause a swinging of the span either to an openor closed position, according to the direction in which the pinion H isturned. The pinion H is driven by a motive power preferably located onthe pier D and under the control of the bridge-tender. Between thepinion H and the motive power suitable gears are used toregulate thetime of opening and closing thebridge.

The construction of the mechanism for imparting a swinging motion to thespan may be varied; but I prefer to use the rack and pinion. l y Inorder to hold the segmental bearing-su rface B in proper position on therollers F., I provide a flange on the gear-rack I, which extends to therollers to prevent lateral displacement of the bearing-surface on therollers and to keep the span in proper alinement at all times.

The bottom chord J of the span A and A is adapted to rest at its shoreend on a selfadjusting skewbaok K, attached to the cradle C. Theadjustable skewback, being movable on the pin L, provides a means ofgiving an even bearing for the bottom chord .I when the bridge isclosed, thus transmitting the thrust of the same to the masonrythroughthe cradle.

The fulcrum end of the span is'preferably provided with an axle ortrunnions N, turning in bearings Ml and located at the center of thesegmental bearing-surface B. The bearings M are on frames O, attached tocra- IOO dle E, or they may be attached to the pier D. These frames Oare made very strong and take part of the live or moving load when thebridge is closed, thus relieving the rollers from any pounding which maybe caused by sudden loading. Vhen the bridge is open, the frames O serveas an anchorage to prevent the bridge from turning over from a wind orfrom inertia when the bridge is raised or lowered too fast and stoppedsuddenly.

It is expressly understood that in all cases the static or dead weightof the span is carried by the rollers in the cradle when the bridge isopen; but when the bridge is closed the rollers carry only a smallportion of the live load, as the principal strain incident to the liveor moving load of the bridge is taken up by the skewbacks andtransmitted to the piers, and the bridge is converted into a fixedbridge of arch, girder, or other type.

Having fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patentl. A revolving bascule-bridge, with a span having asegmental bearing-surface B, engaging a series of rollers F, resting inan arcshaped cradle C, and supports for the ends of the span when thelatter is closed, the supports being independent of the rollers, so thatthe latter is relieved of the strain from the live or moving load, andsaid strain is transmitted by said supports to the abutments or pierssubstantially as shown and described.

2. A re volvingbascule-bridge,provided with two spans, each provided atits fulcrurn end with'a segmental bearing-surface, B, engaging a seriesof rollers, F, resting in a cradle, C; the free ends of the spans beingadapted to abut one on the other when the bridge is closed, and asupport for the fnlerum end of the span when the latter is closed, thesupport being independent of the said rollers substantially as shown anddescribed.

3. A revolvingbascule-bridge,provided with two spans, each having at itsfulcrum end a segmental bearing-surface, B, engaging the rollers, F,resting in a cradle, C; the free ends of the span being adapted to abutone on the other, the spans forming anarch when the bridge is closed,and self-adjusting skewbacks, K, for the shore ends of the bottom chordsor arch of the span substantially as shown and described.

4. Arevolvingbascule-bridge,provided with two spans, each having at itsfulcrum end a segmental bearing-surface, B, engaging the rollers, F,resting in a cradle, C; the free ends of the spans being adapted to abutone on the other, the spans forming an arch when the bridge is closed,and self-adjusting skewbacks, K, for the shore ends of the bottom chordsor arch of the span; said adjustable skewbacks forming a uniform bearingfor the bottom chords, and also providinga stop for the span, to preventthe latter from assumin ga position below the proper level when thebridge is closed, substantially as shown and described.

5. A revolving bascule-bridge,provided with a span having a segmentalbearing-surface, B,in engagement with a series of antifrictionrollers,F, resting in a cradle, C, formed with arc-shaped tracks, E,r aself-adjusting skewback for the end of the bottom chord of the span torest on when the bridge is closed, and a foundation supporting both thesaid skewback and the said cradle, C, with rollers, F, and receiving theload of the bridge as well as the weight of the span, substantially asshown and described.

6. A revolving bascule-brid ge provided with a span having a segmentalbearing-surface, a series of antifriction-rollers, F, simultaneousl yengaged at their peripheral surfaces by the said segmentalbearingsurface, B, a cradle, C, carrying the said rollers on arcshapedtracks, E, and an adjustable skewback, K, attached to the said cradle,C, and adapted to be engaged by a part of the span when the bridge isclosed, substantially as shown and described.

7. Arevolving bascule-bridge provided with two spans, each having at itsfulcrum end a segmental bearing-surface, B, aseries ofantifrictionrollers simultaneously engaged at their peripheral. surfacesby the said segmental bearing-surface, B, a set of side bars, R, holdingthe rollers in position, a cradle, C, carrying said rollers onarc-shaped tracks, E, and an adjustable skewback, K, attached to thesaid cradle, C, and adapted to be engaged by the bottom chord, J, whenthe bridge is closed and forming an arch, substantially as shown anddescribed.

8. A revolving bascnle-bridge provided with a span having a segmentalbearing-surface adapted to rest and roll on a series ofantifriction-rollers in an arc-shaped cradle, and having a pin ortrunnion through the axis of rotation resting on a frame O, whichrelieves the said rollers from any pounding which may be caused by thelive or moving load; the pounding strain is transmitted by said frame tothe abutments or piers, substantially as shown or described.

9. A revolving bascule-bridge provided with a span having a segmentalbearing-surface, adapted to rest and roll on a series ofantifriction-rollers in an arc-shaped cradle, and having a pin ortrunnion through the axis of rotation resting on a frame, O, whichanchors the span tothe masonry, thus preventing the span being blown orotherwise turned over, substantially as shown and described.

l0. A revolving bascule-bridge provided with two spans, each having atits fulcrum end a segmental bearing-surface, B, a series ofantifriction-rollers sim ultaneou sly engaged at their peripheralsurfaces by said segmental bearing-surface; a set of side bars, R,holding the rollers in position; a cradle, C, carrying said rollers onarc-shaped tracks, E;

IOO

IIO

` a rack, I, engaging pinion, I-I, for opening and closing the span,andan adjustable skewback, K, attached to the said cradle, C, and adaptedto be engaged by the bottom chord, J, when the bridge is closed andforming an arch, substantially as shown and described.

1l. A revolving bascule-bridge having a span counterbalanced to be inequilibrium in any position, adapted to rest and roll on a series ofantifriction-rollers, resting in a cradle carrying said rollers onarc-shaped tracks; the free ends of the span being adapted to abut oneon the other, the spans forming an arch when the bridge is closed, andadjustable skewbacks for the shore ends of the bottom chord or arch ofthe span, substantially as shown and described.

12. A revolving bascule-bridge provided with a span havinga segmentalbearing-surface in engagement with a series of antifriction-rollers andhaving its fulcrum end provided With a counterweight to counterbalancethe span at any angle of its throw, an adjustable skewback for the endof the bottom chord of the span to rest on when the bridge is closed,

and forming an arch and an arc-shaped cradle supporting both the saidskewback and the said rolling surface and receiving the load of thebridge as well as the weight of span and transmitting the same to thefoundation, substantially as shown and described.

13. A revolving bascule-bridge having a span counterbalanced to be inequilibrium in any position, adapted to rest and roll on a series ofantifriction-rollers, restingin a cradle carrying said rollers onarc-shaped tracks; the free ends of the span being adapted to abut oneon the other, the spans forming an arch when the bridge is closed, andadjustable skewbacks for the shore ends of the bottom chords of thespan, and a segmental gearrack attached to the segmentalbearing-surface, a pinion for imparting a swinging motion to span,substantially as shown and described.

14E. A revolving bascule-bridge having a span counterbalanced to be inequilibrium in any position, having a segmental bearing-surface adaptedto rest and roll on a series of antifriction-rollers, resting onarc-shaped tracks, a segmental gear-rack attached to the said segmentalbearing surface, said gear rack having flanges bearing against therollers preventing sidewise displacement; the free ends of the bridgebeing adapted to abut one on the other, the spans forming an arch whenclosed and adjustable skewbacks for the shore ends of the bottom chordor arch of the span,

substantially as shown and described.

15. A revolving bascule-bridge having a span counterbalanced to be inequilibrium in any position, having at its fulcrum end a segdiameterengaging the arc-shaped tracks of the cradle; the rollers being providedwith side bars holding the rollers in position, a cradle carrying saidrollers on arc-shaped tracks, a gear-rack, I, engaging a pinion, Il,which is geared to the motor for opening and closing the span, and anadjustable skewback, K, attached to the said cradle and adapted to beengaged by the bottom chord when the bridge is olosedand forming anarch, substantially as shown and described.

16. A revolving bascule-bridge having a span counterweighted to be inequilibrium in any position and provided at its fulcrum end with asegmental bearing-surface, adapted to rest and roll on a series ofantifriction-rollers, said rollers mounted to revolvefreely onshouldered pins fastened to side bars which hold the rollers inposition, a cradle having arc-shaped tracks for supporting said rollers,a rack attached to the said segmental bearing-surface, a pinion forimparting a swinging motion to the said span, a frame, O, for takinglthe live or moving load when the bridge is closed and forming an arch,substantially as shown and described.

17. A revolving bascule-bridge having a span counterbalanced to be inequilibrium in any position, adapted to rest and roll on a series ofantifriction-rollers said rollers having two diameters, the largerdiameter engaging the said segmental bearing-surface, and the smallerdiameter engaging the arc-shaped tracks of the cradle; the rollersmounted to revolve freely on pins, T, fastened to side bars, R, whichhold the rollers in position; a cradle carrying said rollers onarc-shaped tracks; the free ends of the span' being adapted to abut oneon the other, the span forming an arch when the bridge is closed, and anadjustable skewback for the shore ends of the bottom chords of the span,and a segmental gearrack attached to the segmental bearing-surface, apinion for imparting a swinging motion to the span, substantially asshown and described.

1S. A revolving bascule-bridge having a movable span provided at itsfulcrum end with a segmental bearing-surface adapted to rest and roll ona series of antifriction-rollers in a cradle having arc-shaped tracks; arack on said segmental bearing-surface, said rack being provided with aflange which bears against the rollers; a pinion for imparting aswinging motion to the span; a frame, O, for taking the live or movingload When the bridge is closed and forming an arch, substantially asshown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN PI-'uLo oowINc.

Witnesses:

A. Il. PORTER, F. M. SEDGWICK.

IOO

IIO

